Characters that appear late in a series

[EmperorBrandon]

As I just finished up on my rewatch of Chobits, I've been thinking about this... It kind of sucks that Kotoko showed up so late in the series because she was such a fun character. Her blunt attitude was great, she's pretty cute, and she's voiced by Yukana and Kay Jensen (both absolutely PERFECT for the role). To top it off, watching her few moments interacting with Sumomo were very amusing. It definitely makes me really happy that the Chibits special was made, at the very least. :) I guess it was pretty much unavoidable, since she was Yoshiyuki Kojima's persocom, and his obsession and kidnapping of Chi was an important part of the more serious tone of the series emphasized in the second half. Do wish we had seen more of her, though. So, are there any characters that only show up in a later part of the series that you really liked (whether or not you think they should have had more time or not)? Another potential point of interest may also be late-series characters in one series that end up getting more time and/or importance due to a sequel being made.

[Lego]

Hmm, I was a real big fan of Nono from Planetes. Sure she kind of appears midway, but she has a strong presence at the end of the show, especially with Hakim.

[The Great Bear]

One the great late appearance characters would have to be Hild from Ah! My Goddess. Definitely adds some fun to the proceedings.

Another great character who joins in after things are already in progress somewhat would be Kagura in Azumanga Daioh. While she does have a brief appearance somewhat earlier, she does not really join the core cast until later.

[Njr Scrawl]

Akane Kasuga in Kimagure Orange Road. She's in the manga, but does not appear in KOR anime until the OVAs (& only in 2). A shame because she shakes up the cosiness & also has a big crush on Madoka.

I guess Kazuya was thought to be enough of a scene stealer by himself.

For AMG, Peorth also - though main characters need a number of episodes to establish themselves to an audience, before power-characters come along.

What I don't like is when a character who is introduced late, seems to win easily for the main characters, who have been trying hard & deserve victory on their own.

[Suwako Moriya]

Ah yes late comers can indeed be interesting because they represent a change to the dynamic. What the change is of course is another story. Let's see here late comers I love? I guess it depends on how you define late. Still here goes.

Misao Kusakabe of Lucky Star (And heck probably the other late comers as well)

Artemis of Tsukiyomi Moonphase

Sorry if only two come to mind right now. Not sure who to include right now. Okay I do have some that come to mind, but they're not anime characters.

[Senna]

Matsuka in Toward the Terra. He doesn't appear until the second half of the show, yet he is such an awesome character (in a show of lots of awesome characters) that he quickly became my favorite.

Another (in a totally different vein) would be Amelia in Slayers. It's funny to me to watch the first season, where she doesn't come in until, I don't know, ep. 12 or so, when she's part of the main four in all the other seasons.

[Classical]

So, are there any characters that only show up in a later part of the series that you really liked (whether or not you think they should have had more time or not)?

Eriol of Cardcaptor Sakura was a character that showed up later in the series that I really liked. There was just something about him, maybe his mysteriousness, that I liked about him. Or maybe it was because he seemed evil yet he really wasn't. He was actually kind in reality.

[Zeether]

Yomiko in ROD the TV.

[TalonG4]

So, are there any characters that only show up in a later part of the series that you really liked (whether or not you think they should have had more time or not)?

Eriol of Cardcaptor Sakura was a character that showed up later in the series that I really liked. There was just something about him, maybe his mysteriousness, that I liked about him. Or maybe it was because he seemed evil yet he really wasn't. He was actually kind in reality.

Totally agree except with the character being Nakuru Akizuki/Ruby Moon:catgirl:

[Suwako Moriya]

Re-watching scenes from Futago Hime Gyu made me think of another character. The character being Bibin. Granted it's hard to gauge her due to format I watched the series in. However from what I could tell she did seem to be interesting.

[Njr Scrawl]

I think Hamann Kahn in Zeta Gundam might count. She is the main villain in ZZ Gundam, but her later appearance in ZG & the importance of her existence & influence are laid down in the latter.

[mk2000]

Akio from Utena did not really show up until the second half. To say the dynamic changed...

It's like going to a Halloween party where everyone dressed up as the devil but then the actual Devil shows up half way through! lol :eek::devil:

[Harls]

Another potential point of interest may also be late-series characters in one series that end up getting more time and/or importance due to a sequel being made.
Washuu, who made her first appearance in the last episode of the original Tenchi Muyo!, and Kiyone, whose first animated appearance was the "Mihoshi Special" spring immediately to mind. :sdsmiley:

[The Adventurer]

Yomiko in ROD the TV.

Also Drake.

[vanfanel]

I think Hamann Kahn in Zeta Gundam might count. She is the main villain in ZZ Gundam, but her later appearance in ZG & the importance of her existence & influence are laid down in the latter.

Yep, that was the character I came into this thread to mention. And although she doesn't appear until late in ZG, you just know she's gonna be trouble when you see Mr. Cool Quattro looking sweaty and nervous for (I think) the *first time* in the show when he sees her.

[vanfanel]

Akio from Utena did not really show up until the second half. To say the dynamic changed...

It's like going to a Halloween party where everyone dressed up as the devil but then the actual Devil shows up half way through! lol :eek::devil:

Yeah, and greatest reveal ever:

Radio Game Show Announcer: Our next contestant calls himself 'End of the World.' Hello? Is this End of the World?

Akio: Yeah.

[Buckeye]

Showing up near the end of School Rumble:

Lara Gonzalez, the Hispanic exchange student and wrestler. Reason for liking her is Monica Rial's absolutely hillarious performance with the accent and everything, and the way she yells ICHIJO!!!!

[Zeether]

Showing up near the end of School Rumble:

Lara Gonzalez, the Hispanic exchange student and wrestler. Reason for liking her is Monica Rial's absolutely hillarious performance with the accent and everything, and the way she yells ICHIJO!!!!
I thought her name was Lala?

[MrNice]

In El Hazard: The Magnificent World Princess Fatora isn't conscious until the the least episode.

[EmperorBrandon]

Showing up near the end of School Rumble:

Lara Gonzalez, the Hispanic exchange student and wrestler. Reason for liking her is Monica Rial's absolutely hillarious performance with the accent and everything, and the way she yells ICHIJO!!!!
I thought her name was Lala?

It depends on whether you're listening to the dub or reading the subs. FUNi has been pretty inconsistent with names in School Rumble, between the subtitles and the credits listings, too. :sweat:

[Splitter]

Naturally, the entire freshman group from Lucky Star. IMO, they were far FAR more entertaining than Konata's crew ever was.

Also, attention must be given to Hanyuu from Higurashi no Naku Koro ni, especially because of how crucial her role was and had been to the series from the very start.